Information processing apparatus having a numeric keypad with cover that functions as a palm rest

• US 6,262,716 B1
• Filed: 07/01/1998
• Issued: 07/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Raasch, Lisa Ann
• Primary Examiner(s): Saras, Steven
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bell, Paul A.
• Application Number:
  US09/108,495
• Time in Patent Office: 1,112 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 364/708.1, 361/680, 361/681, 361/682, 361/683, 341/20, 341/21, 341/22, 400/715, 108/50.14, 108/93, 705/25, D14/115, D14/115.1, 200/333, 248/918, 248/118, 248/118.1, 248/118.3, 248/118.5
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/022 Part of keyboard not operable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/034 Support for hands or arms
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

A keypad assembly for an information processing apparatus such as a portable computer or the like is disclosed. The keypad assembly comprises a keypad disposed in the housing of the information processing apparatus and a cover for covering the keypad and providing a palm rest for the user. The cover is movable between a closed position wherein the keypad is at least partially enclosed by the cover and an opened position wherein the keypad is accessible by a user of the information processing apparatus.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus, comprising:

a housing having a keyboard surface;

a keyboard disposed in said keyboard surface of said housing, said keyboard including a first plurality of keys for entering information into the information processing apparatus;

a keypad disposed in said keyboard surface of said housing below said keyboard, said keypad including a second plurality of keys for entering information into the information processing apparatus; and

a cover cooperating with said housing for covering said keypad, said cover being movable between a closed position wherein said keypad is at least partially covered by said cover and an open position wherein said keypad is accessible by a user of the information processing apparatus;

wherein said cover forms at least part of a palm rest for said keyboard when said cover is in the closed position, said palm rest being suitable for supporting the palm areas of both of the user'"'"'s hands for typing on said first plurality of keys.

2. The information processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cover slidably engages said housing so that said cover may slide between said opened position and said closed position.

3. The information processing apparatus of claim 2, wherein said cover forms a palm support for said keypad when said cover is in the open position, said palm support being suitable for supporting the palm of at least one of the user'"'"'s hands for entering information via said keypad.

4. The information processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cover is hinged to said housing via a hinge so that said cover may rotate about said hinge between said opened position and said closed position.

5. The information processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cover is pivotally mounted to said housing so that said cover may pivot through a plane generally parallel to said keyboard surface between said opened position and said closed position.

6. The information processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cover comprises a curved upper surface for at least partially supporting the palm area of a user'"'"'s hand.

7. The information processing apparatus of claim 6, wherein said curved upper surface is formed of a resilient material.

8. The information processing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pointing device disposed on said housing adjacent to said keypad, said pointing device for inputting commands into said information processing apparatus.

9. A keypad assembly for an information processing apparatus having a keyboard surface and a keyboard disposed in said keyboard surface for entering information into said information processing apparatus, said keypad assembly comprising:

a plurality of keys disposed in said keyboard surface so as to be positioned below said keyboard on said keyboard surface, said plurality of keys for entering information into said information processing apparatus; and

a cover cooperating with said housing for covering said plurality of keys, said cover being movable between a closed position wherein said cover at least partially encloses said plurality of keys and provides a palm rest for said keyboard and an open position wherein said plurality of keys is accessible by a user of the information processing apparatus and said cover provides a palm support for said keypad.

10. The keypad assembly of claim 9, wherein said cover comprises rails slidably engaging channels disposed is said housing so that said cover mat slide between said opened position and said closed position.

11. The keypad assembly of claim 9 wherein said cover is hinged to said housing via a hinge so that said cover may rotate about said hinge between said opened position and said closed position.

12. The information processing apparatus of claim 9, wherein said cover is pivotally mounted to said housing so that said cover may pivot between said opened position and said closed position through plane generally parallel to said keyboard.

13. The information processing apparatus of claim 9, wherein said cover comprises a curved upper surface for at least partially supporting a user'"'"'s hand.

14. The information processing apparatus of claim 13, wherein said curved upper surface is formed of a resilient material.

15. A portable computer, comprising:

a housing having a keyboard surface;

a keyboard disposed in said keyboard surface of said housing, said keyboard including a first plurality of keys for entering information into the portable computer;

a palm rest area disposed in said keyboard surface below said keyboard suitable for supporting the palm areas of the user'"'"'s hands for typing on said keyboard;

a keypad disposed within said housing in said palm rest area, said keypad including a second plurality of keys for entering information into the portable computer; and

a cover cooperating with said housing for covering said keypad;

wherein said cover is movable between a closed position wherein said keypad is at lease partially covered by said cover and an open position wherein said keypad is accessible by a user of the portable computer.

16. The portable computer of claim 15, wherein said cover forms a palm support for said keypad when said cover is in the open position, said palm support being suitable for supporting the palm area of at least one of the user'"'"'s hands for entering information via said keyboard.